Eating Crow: GOOD EXPERIENCE w/ sicollector1954; Poor Misunderstanding by Me

[KMayUSA6060]

UPDATE: A public apology needs to be issued by me to this user - sicollector1954, Dave Pearce.

This post by Robertsmithnocure provided clarity into my misunderstanding...

"I was confused too and read the seller’s response the same way. I thought that he said that they were copies but were actually signed by the ball players."

Having misunderstood from the beginning, with the expectation of these photos being real along with the autographs, receiving copied photos led me to believe the autographs were copies as well. I remembered that the original email had his phone number, so I quickly called Dave (something I should have done upon receiving the photos) upon reading that comment and he provided clarity, that these photos are indeed copies, but the autographs are indeed real. The $50 price per is now very much justified, and I have sent back Dave's refund as USPS did not pick up the package yet so I am still in possession of the photos for my baby girl's room.

I completely jumped the gun on judgement, and did not take the necessary steps to provide clarity for myself. Lesson learned. I don't know if Crow was on the menu at the first Thanksgiving, but I'm definitely eating Crow for Thanksgiving this year.

Dave, if you read this, I am sincerely sorry for not 100% clearing up any misunderstandings before publicly posting about this.


Another Update: Upon further communication with Dave, I informed him of this thread, and issued a similar apology echoing my faults. To speak to Dave's character, he is still offering to ask Ange Armato to personalize autographs for my soon-to-be-newborn daughter and stepdaughter. Class act.

_____________________________________________

I posted in the Memorabilia section that I was looking for AAGPBL items to decorate my soon-to-be-daughter's baby room. Dave (sicollector1954) PM'd me, stating "...recently purchased 30 signed and framed photos of other players from Ange Armato who is a former Rockford player...they were in her house on the wall---can send you a list if you like and a couple of pics..."

I emailed him, and he shared pictures of his collection, along with the photos he would be willing to sell. $50 per photo was his ask, which I agreed to. He said he's raising money for a museum to be built in Rockford, IL, for the AAGPBL, which the rest of his collection would be donated to upon its completion. I was exciting to be contributing to the fundraiser, while also receiving some amazing memorabilia - with a story behind it - for my daughter's room.

I received the photos today, and unfortunately they are copies of the originals. I re-read all of our communications, and did not see a single mention of them being copies. I emailed him to confirm these were indeed copies, to which he confirmed. I then replied, asking for a refund as I was under the impression they were original, signed photos, and would not have paid $50 per for copies. His reply "Send them back. If any of these were originals..they would cost hundreds of dollars each..i indicated what i paid for an original 2x3 of dottie green in one of my previous emails. Thanks."

The deception/lack of clarity, especially with the nature of my search being for my baby's room, really rubbed me the wrong way. He did refund me as of this morning. Below are links for all of our communication with redaction (a phone number, children's names, and addresses). If any deals are done in the future with this member, just be sure there is 100% clarity on what you're purchasing/receiving.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xZ9...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/103g...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yHR...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f8B...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pui...ew?usp=sharing


Kyle May

[h2oya311]

I’m sorry you had a bad experience, Kyle. Seems the member was willing to step up and refund though, so all is not lost. In fact, some might say that this was a positive experience in that he made things right by refunding, although I don’t doubt at all that this left a sour taste in your mouth.

Communication is key! I’ve certainly had my share of customer returns due to card issues that were undisclosed (often times because I didn’t know about them myself).

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

I’m sorry you had a bad experience, Kyle. Seems the member was willing to step up and refund though, so all is not lost. In fact, some might say that this was a positive experience in that he made things right by refunding, although I don’t doubt at all that this left a sour taste in your mouth.

Communication is key! I’ve certainly had my share of customer returns due to card issues that were undisclosed (often times because I didn’t know about them myself).

The willingness to refund was definitely a positive, although having Goods & Services protection was certainly nice backup.

I went back and forth on posting anything at all, because in the end I'm out essentially nothing except excitement. However, after deciding to move forward with a post, I wanted to be very careful on how I worded the post, juggling the benefit of the doubt with preventing this type of thing from happening in the future.

[vthobby]

I see nothing but a seller who gave you plenty of his time and effort, offered to get some things signed for your kid on his time, and offered you a refund the same day you emailed him.

Yes he "could" have mentioned they were copies but I see no nefarious intent or activity in those emails. I see a gentleman that has a passion for the sport and the history of women's baseball and was excited to help you with your project.

Far from poor. I wish some of my bad experiences were as pleasant as this.

He seems like a pretty cool guy!

Peace, Mike

[earlywynnfan]

FWIW, while the seller could have made it clear that these weren't original photos, I think some of the onus needs to be on the buyer here, too. You aren't ignorant, you've been on the forum for many years. I have no idea how much an original signed photo is, but in no way would I expect to get a whole bunch of 70-year old original signed photos for $50 each. Did you possibly think that at any point? If you wanted originals, you should have asked if they were originals.

[Snapolit1]

Can tell you are very disappointed, but Seller really didn’t handle this poorly at all. To each his own, but not sure this needed to be escalated publicly. Seems like it was a misunderstanding in both sides that was promptly resolved with a minimum of drama.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Can tell you are very disappointed, but Seller really didn’t handle this poorly at all. To each his own, but not sure this needed to be escalated publicly. Seems like it was a misunderstanding in both sides that was promptly resolved with a minimum of drama.

+1 Agreed just sounds like an opportunity to improve communications and learning for us all to ensure complete and clear understanding of the transaction.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Can tell you are very disappointed, but Seller really didn’t handle this poorly at all. To each his own, but not sure this needed to be escalated publicly. Seems like it was a misunderstanding in both sides that was promptly resolved with a minimum of drama.

Having said that, anyone selling photos should conspicuously state that they are copies and not original photos. That’s only fair.

[notfast]

Of course guy issued refund right away. He had no option.

It’s weird to me that people are OK with this and defending the seller when he obviously (and probably intentionally) left out some important facts about the stuff he was selling.

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

FWIW, while the seller could have made it clear that these weren't original photos, I think some of the onus needs to be on the buyer here, too. You aren't ignorant, you've been on the forum for many years. I have no idea how much an original signed photo is, but in no way would I expect to get a whole bunch of 70-year old original signed photos for $50 each. Did you possibly think that at any point? If you wanted originals, you should have asked if they were originals.

Is $50 a piece the going rate for lower-quality copies of original photos?

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Is $50 a piece the going rate for lower-quality copies of original photos?

On November 18th at 3:36pm it was.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Is $50 a piece the going rate for lower-quality copies of original photos?

Not that I am hurting for money, but $50 for scanned copies is ridiculous. Remind me not buy anything from this rip-off "doing me a favor".

That said, to expect only $50 for any real AAGPBL memorabilia, photos, whatever, is irrational too.

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

Is $50 a piece the going rate for lower-quality copies of original photos?

Depends on the players and the desirability. Especially if they are players htat passed a long time ago. They do originate from the home of an actual player, that might put a premium in some eyes.

Were you more interested in the autographs or the photos?

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

I posted in the Memorabilia section that I was looking for AAGPBL items to decorate my soon-to-be-daughter's baby room. Dave (sicollector1954) PM'd me, stating "...recently purchased 30 signed and framed photos of other players from Ange Armato who is a former Rockford player...they were in her house on the wall---can send you a list if you like and a couple of pics..."

I emailed him, and he shared pictures of his collection, along with the photos he would be willing to sell. $50 per photo was his ask, which I agreed to. He said he's raising money for a museum to be built in Rockford, IL, for the AAGPBL, which the rest of his collection would be donated to upon its completion. I was exciting to be contributing to the fundraiser, while also receiving some amazing memorabilia - with a story behind it - for my daughter's room.

I received the photos today, and unfortunately they are copies of the originals. I re-read all of our communications, and did not see a single mention of them being copies. I emailed him to confirm these were indeed copies, to which he confirmed. I then replied, asking for a refund as I was under the impression they were original, signed photos, and would not have paid $50 per for copies. His reply "Send them back. If any of these were originals..they would cost hundreds of dollars each..i indicated what i paid for an original 2x3 of dottie green in one of my previous emails. Thanks."

The deception/lack of clarity, especially with the nature of my search being for my baby's room, really rubbed me the wrong way. He did refund me as of this morning. Below are links for all of our communication with redaction (a phone number, children's names, and addresses). If any deals are done in the future with this member, just be sure there is 100% clarity on what you're purchasing/receiving.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xZ9...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/103g...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yHR...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f8B...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pui...ew?usp=sharing


Kyle May

I'm unclear, the photos aren't original, but are the autographs??

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I'm unclear, the photos aren't original, but are the autographs??

The autographs are on the original photos. What I received are strictly copies of the originals.